Senior System Engineer

Senior System Engineer

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Translate complex customer and market requirements into robust system concepts that balance performance, reliability, usability, and cost of ownership.

Drive system-level innovation by integrating mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains into cohesive machine platforms.

Moderate cross-functional concept development workshops and guide teams through structured decision‑making under uncertainty.

Evaluate feasibility and risk of new concepts using first‑principles physics and empirical modeling.

Ensure system-level traceability from requirements to implementation and maintain architectural integrity throughout the development lifecycle.

Act as a technical authority and mentor for interdisciplinary engineering teams during the development of complex mechatronic systems.

Drive development schedules of module and platform development projects aligned to overall program and project dates to meet committed demonstration and ship dates.

• Conduct system-level requirement analysis and author technical specifications and design briefs for platforms, machines, and modules.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of technical concepts in collaboration with domain experts, based on functional, economic, and risk criteria.
• Ensure architectural consistency and interface compatibility across subsystems and modules.
• Guide the development of subsystem concepts and validate their feasibility through analytical modeling and simulation.
• Facilitate design reviews and ensure that development progress aligns with system-level objectives.
• Drive risk assessments and initiate necessary pre-development or technology validation activities.
• Ensure compliance with certification requirements (e.g., CE, SEMI, RoHS) and support the preparation of documentation.
• Support patent applications and the protection of intellectual property arising from system innovations.
• Present technical solutions and resolve system-level issues in collaboration with customers and stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. (PhD, MSc, MEng, etc. desired)
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the system level leadership of the development of complex mechatronic systems, ideally in semiconductor backend equipment.
• Minimum of 5 years as a direct engineer in a discipline.
• Proven track record in system engineering, machine concept development, and cross-functional engineering leadership.
• Deep understanding of thermal systems, motion control, sensor integration, and machine intelligence.
• Experience with requirement engineering, risk management, and certification processes.
• Strong knowledge of modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink), CAE, and system simulation.
• Excellent English communication skills:
  German and/or French is a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.

Lead modules and system level development for TH team under the Director of Engineering.

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Tuition assistance

Cohu firmly supports the U.S. national and various state and local policies of equal employment opportunity which are designed to provide equality of employment and advancement opportunities to every individual without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, gender, gender identity or gender expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other legally protected category.

In addition, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified disabled individuals, upon request.

Globally, Cohu is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing employment, in the U.S. and in all other locations around the world where we have operations.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Semiconductor Manufacturing

Location:

San Diego, CA